Graduate trading heels for cleats

By Trisha Marczak | The Daily Journal

Published Friday, May 9, 2008

Most college graduates wear a cap and gown to graduation. But that won’t be the case tonight for Samantha Woida.

When Woida walks onto a stage tonight at Minnesota State Community and Technical College’s 7:30 p.m. graduation ceremony, the school’s presidential scholar could be wearing a softball jersey when she gives her commencement address.

Woida is heavily involved in campus activities and it’s one of those activities that will make it difficult for her to make a speech at her own graduation.

The MSCTC softball team’s advancement to regionals comes at an unfortunate time for Woida, who has consistently worked to balance academic and athletic involvement.

Her nomination as this year’s presidential scholar is testament to that dedication.

For the past two years, Weida has been a member of academic honor society; Phi Beta Kappa, and math honor society; Mu Alpha Theda. Athletically, she’s played volleyball and softball, and has taken statistics for the basketball team.

“I look at it as a really prestigious thing. It’s given to students who have proven themselves academically and I try to be involved as much as I can,” Woida said.

Woida applied for the Presidential Scholarship last summer. Candidates are chosen based on academic standing and campus involvement. Although the nomination means a financial contribution to the student’s education, the successful candidate is also designated as a representative for the school.

“It means a lot to be a spokesperson for the college,” she said.

Woida, originally from Parkers Prairie, chose the MSCTC because of its size, reputation, affordability and athletic opportunities.

Woida will attend Minnesota State University Moorhead next year, where she plans on majoring in secondary math education. But if she had it her way, she’d earn her bachelor’s degree from MSCTC.

“I don’t want to leave, I wish it was a four year institution,” she said.

Woida said her commitment to her team will mean that, above all else, she’ll stay with them throughout the course of the tournament. She figures her nomination was based on her commitment to all things MSCTC and as far as she’s concerned, the team’s trip to regionals is a great way to represent the school.